Neither the Excel nor the Getz were the type of car to tackle the world’s most famous Formula One circuit or the World Rally Championship’s most famous mountain stages, but having done both in the i10 it’s hard not to be impressed with how far Hyundai has come.

Hyundai i10

We were able to sample the European-specification i10 on the Monaco Grand Prix circuit and the famous Col du Turini rally stage, as well as French motorways and back roads.

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While hardly a sports car, the performance of the i10 across these varied conditions was very good for a city car.

But before I get into the details it must be pointed out that there is an entry-level model with less-equipment and a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine that we did not drive. We were in a higher-specification French model powered by a 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine.

That motor is good for 64kW and 120Nm and Hyundai claims it is capable of sipping just 4.9-litres per 100km on the combined (city/country) cycle. Competitive, but not class-leading, but the i10’s light weight combined with a reasonably slick five-speed manual gearbox means it moves along swiftly and feels like it has more than enough performance for its size. There is surprisingly good low rev range pulling power too.

However, the engine can be noisy, and although the noise is unpleasant it does make the cabin a bit loud. Especially at highway speeds where the lack of sixth ratio means at 110km/h the engine is doing just over 3000rpm.

There is a nice blend of comfort and control, it absorbs the smaller imperfections well but also manages to settle quickly after hitting bigger bumps.

Driving up the famous Col du Turni rally stage – a 30km long twisting run up, across and down a mountain - the i10 is responsive and very well balanced for a city car. The steering is nice and light, which is good for around town, but without feeling lifeless on a twisting road.

Not only does the i10 impress with its driving dynamics but also its styling, particularly inside.

Although the cabin is dominated by hard plastics Hyundai has cleverly used different coloured plastics to break up the spaces and give the i10 a more upmarket feel than many of its rivals.

At this point you’re probably wondering what’s wrong with the i10? The biggest problem is actually the i20.

Or more specifically the fact the i20 is built in India, while the i10 is made in Turkey, which means Hyundai Australia can get the i20 for a competitive price in a highly cut-throat city car market.

The three-door i20 starts at $15,590 (plus on-road and dealer costs) and the five-door from $16,590 and Hyundai Australia spokesman Bill Thomas told drive the biggest challenge adding the i10 to its line-up is making sure it is priced right. As a starter it would need to be priced below the i20.

City cars are incredibly popular and with cars such as the Mitsubishi Mirage starting from as low as $12,990 (and even cheaper at times with incentive offers) it is easy to understand the challenge Hyundai Australia faces.

Which is a shame because based on our time in the European-spec i10 it is not only a more stylish and enjoyable car to drive than the i20, it has the potential to be competitive in an already competitive class.

Pricing and specifications: Hyundai i10

Price: $14,000 (estimated, but currently no plans to sell it in Australia)

Engine: 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol

Gearbox: 5-speed manual, front-wheel-drive

Power: 64kW at 6000rpm

Torque: 120Nm at 4000rpm

Weight: 941kg

Consumption: 4.9L/100km

6 comments so far

This article is a waste of space and it is very old news that the i10 won't be available in Australia because of the cost. But as an excuse to get a free test drive in Europe I say "bravo".

Commenter

Peter

Location

Fremantle

Date and time

January 23, 2014, 9:03AM

Who paid for the trip to Europe?

Commenter

Paul

Location

N Coast

Date and time

January 24, 2014, 5:55AM

The I20 is an old fashioned, bland, boring, awful steaming pile that sells in very low numbers and should be replaced by the I10 just as they did the I45 with the I40. It just makes no sense to keep the I20 at the expense of the I10 when cool city car sales are booming.

Commenter

slewfoot

Location

Frankston South

Date and time

January 24, 2014, 6:28AM

the i10 is a smaller class than the i20 bud.

Commenter

Tin

Location

Date and time

January 24, 2014, 1:05PM

The front is a straight copy from Ford design...

Commenter

Marc

Location

Sydney

Date and time

January 24, 2014, 9:40AM

"However, the engine can be noisy, and although the noise is unpleasant it does make the cabin a bit loud". Makes no sense. Would be great to read an article on the SMH that did not have a typo.